Denny’s Solom vow to redeem himself
DENNY SOLOMONA has vowed to play his way back into Eddie Jones’s good books after being sent home from an England training camp for an early-hours drinking session.
The prolific Sale wing, who made a stunning tryscoring England debut against Argentina in June, conceded yesterday he was back to square one with the national side after his misdemeanours a fortnight ago.
Solomona and Manu Tuilagi missed the final day of England’s gathering in Teddington after being disciplined for rolling in to the team hotel at 4.30am and having tasted Jones’s wrath once, he has no desire to experience it again.
“It’s definitely not much fun,” said Solomona. “I am disappointed with myself. It was out of character. I need to work hard now and let my rugby do the talking.
“It was definitely a mistake on my behalf. I’ll work harder to get back.
“I have never been one to set goals or be that person to drive myself and be the best person I can be but being in that England environment makes you want to be that person. I loved every minute of it.”
Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond believes Jones will give Solomona a second chance, especially as the 23-year-old pulled the first Test against Argentina out of the fire for England in June with a brilliant finish in injury-time.
“Eddie is one of the best coaches in the world. He understands what young lads get up to some of the REPORTS time. A rap on goes a long Diamond.
“He’s not a drinker, he’s just done what a young lad does occasionally. Show me someone who hasn’t made a mistake.
“When you’re representing England, you’ve got to keep your guard up. Certainly with someone like Eddie looking after the shop, discipline is part of their culture. He’s dropped a clanger the knuckles way,” said and paid for it by being slung out of the squad. “Hopefully he can get back on the horse next week and get back into the England squad where everybody knows he belongs.” Solomona scored 11 tries in 15 matches for Sale last season despite the threat of a court case from his previous employers Castleford hanging over him. That wrangle has been settled with the payment of a £200,000 transfer fee by Sale but Solomona admitted that the issue took its toll. “It was affecting me at home,” he said. “I felt restless, I felt anxious. Incredibly little things were pushing me over the edge. I am normally quite a chilled person but little things were setting me off. Credit to Sale for sorting everything out.
“Cas have won the League Leaders’ Shield and I am over the moon for them. I have got a lot of good mates there and I am hoping they go all the way this year.”
Sale, who have fined Rob Webber after the former England hooker was banned for 23 months for drink-driving, will be without new signing James O’Connor for the start of the season with an ankle problem.
SARACENS fear their homegrown Lions could leave unless the Premiership change their salary-cap regulations.
The European champions are concerned they will be priced out of the market by the £7million ceiling with the value of players such as Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje and Mako Vunipola spiralling after their exploits in New Zealand.
“It would be an unbelievable shame if we had to lose players we have grown ourselves, who have come through our system since they were 14 or 15,” said director of rugby Mark McCall. He believes home-grown players should be exempt from the cap. READY TO FIGHT: Denny Solomona’s sensational late try gave England victory in the first Test in San Juan